Choosing a cognomen

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Revision as of 02:17, 27 March 2006

Your cognomen is a family name which would be shared by your blood relatives. Cognomina often refer to a person's appearance or other characteristics, but they do not have to. It is quite common to have a cognomen referring to a place of birth, a job, or some other thing which distinguished the person (usually an ancestor) who first bore that cognomen. If you want to know the meaning of a cognomen on the list below, you can find most of them explained <<here>>.

Almost everyone has a cognomen, and it is difficult to distinguish different families within a gens unless cognomina are used. However, strictly speaking, cognomina are not compulsory. If you don't choose one now, you will still be able to add one later.

To help you choose a cognomen, there is a list of them in the "Cognomen" menu below from which you may choose. But this is not a complete list - the Romans often created new cognomina, and if you want to have one which is not on the list we will be happy to discuss this with you. To do this, choose one of these four options from the "Cognomen" menu: "Geographical cognomen", "Occupational cognomen", "Latinized name", or "Other".

A "Geographical cognomen" is one which refers to the place where you come from. An "Occupational cognomen" is one which refers to your job or occupation. A "Latinized name" is a Latin form of your own name, which you can use as cognomen: this can be either your surname or your first name, or both. "Other" includes many other Latin words which can be used as cognomina. If you choose one of these four options, we will get in touch with you to suggest a suitable cognomen. If you have any suggestions or comments to help us suggest a suitable cognomen, please use the "comments, questions, and suggestions" box.

In some cases it may be appropriate to have more than one cognomen. This is normally only allowed where you choose the "Latinized name" option, but may also be appropriate if you are joining a family which contains a large number of people who all have the same nomen and cognomen. If you think you have a good reason to want more than one cognomen, please say which cognomina you would like, and your reasons for wanting more than one, in the "comments, questions, and suggestions" box.

The third name or cognomen started to be a nickname or personal name that distinguished individuals within the same gens (the cognomen does not appear in official documents until around 100 BCE). During the Roman Republic, the cognomen was inherited from father to son, serving to distinguish a family within a gens. Often the cognomen was chosen based on some physical or personality trait.

Note: This list is intended as a guide to help you choose a meaningful cognomen. It is not a definite work and we will be adding new cognomina as and when our research permits. You are most welcome to choose a cognomen that does not appear on this list as long as your cognomen fits within the rules defined by the censorial edictum de nominibus and the Lex Fabia de Nominibus.

male form / female form: Meaning

Aculeo / ?: Prickly, unfriendly
Agricola / ?: The farmer
Agrippa / ?: He who was born feet first
Ahala / ?: Armpit; Cognomen of gens Servilia
Ahenobarbus / ?: With a red beard; Cognomen of gens Domitia
Albinus / Albina: ? Cognomen of gens Postumia
Albus / Alba: White or fair-skinned; Cognomen of gens Postumia
Ambustus / Ambusta: Burnt, scalded; used by Fabii
Annalis / Annalis: Relating to years; used by Villii
Aquila / ?: Eagle
Aquilinus / Aquilina: Eagleish
Arvina / ?: Fat, lard; used by Cornelii and others
Asellio / ?: The keeper of donkeys; used by Sempronii
Asina / ?: The female donkey / cognomen of gens Cornelia
Atellus / Atella: Dark-haired or dark skinned
Avitus / Avita: He who takes after his grandfather
Balbus / Balba: He who stutters; used by Acilii, Cornelii, Lucilii, Naevii, Octavii, and others.
Barba / ?: A beard
Barbatus / ?: The bearded one; used by Cornelii, Scipiones, Horatii, Quinctii, and others.
Bassus / Bassa: The plump (i.e. fat) one
Bestia / ?: An animal or a bestial man; used by Calpurnii.
Bibaculus / Bibacula: Drunkard; Cognomen of gentes Furia & Sextia
Bibulus / Bibula: Drunkard; Cognomen of gentes Calpurnia and Publicia
Blaesus / Blaesa: Someone who mispronounces words, slurs his speech, stammers, or lisps; used by Sempronii.
Brocchus / ?: Toothy
Brutus / Bruta: Stupid, dull-witted; used by Iunii
Bubulcus / Bubulca: A cattle-driver; used by Iunii and others.
Bucco / ?: Fool; dolt.
Bulbus / Bulba: Bulb, onion; used by Atilii
Buteo / ?: Buzzard; used by Fabii
Caecina / ?: Cognomen of gens Licinia
Caecus / Caeca: The blind one; cognomen of gens Claudia
Caepio / ?: The onion vendor. Cognomen of gens Servilia.
Caesar / ?: From archaic praenomen Caesar, perhaps meaning "hairy"; used by Iulii
Calidus / Calida: Hot-headed, rash; used by Coelii and others
Calvinus / Calvina: ? Probably from Calvus. Cognomen of gentes Domitia & Veturia
Calvus / Calva: The bald one
Camillus / Camilla: A child who hepled during sacrifices. Cognomen of gens Furia
Caninus / Canina: Dog-like; used by Acilii
Canus / Cana: Golden-haired or grey-haired
Capito / ?: Big-headed; used by Ateii and others
Carbo / ?: Charcoal; used by Papirii and others.
Castus / Casta: The pure, chaste one
Catilina / ?: Cognomen of gens Sergia
Cato / ?: Shrewd, prudent; used by Hostilii, Porcii, and others
Catulus / Catula: Puppy, whelp; used by Lutatii.
Celer / Celera: Quick
Celsus / Celsa: Tall; used by Papii and others
Cethegus / Cethega: Refers to early Romans. Cognomen of gens Cornelia
Cicero / ?: Chick pea; used by Tullii and others
Cicurinus / Cicurina: Mild, gentle; used by Veturii
Cilo / ?: Large forehead or large lips; used by Flaminii and others
Cincinnatus / Cincinnata: Curly-haired; used by Quinctii and others
Cinna / ?: ? Cognomen of gens Cornelia
Collatinus / Collatina: ? Probably from Collatia. Cognomen of gens Tarquinia.
Cordus / Corda: Born late
Cornicen / ?: Military bugler.
Cornutus / Cornuta: Horned; used by Caecilii, Sulpicii
Corvinus / Corvina: He who looks/acts like a crow. Cognomen of gens Valeria
Corvus / Corva: The crow. Cognomen of gens Valeria
Cossus / Cossa: From archaic praenomen Cossus; used by Cornelii
Costa / ?: A rib; used by Pedanii
Cotta / ?: ? Cognomen of Gens Aurelia
Crassipes / ?: Club-footed; used by Furii
Crassus / Crassa: Fat; used by Claudii, Licinii, Otacilii, Veturii, and others
Crispinus / Crispina: ? Probably related to a location
Crispus / Crispa: He who has curly hair. Cognomen of gentes Sallustia & Vibia
Culleo / ?: Leather sack for carrying liquid; used by Terentii
Curio / xxx: Priest of a Curia. Cognomen of gens Scribonia.
Cursor / ?: Runner, courier; used by Papirii
Curvus / Curva: Stopping, bent; used by Fulvii and others
Dentatus / Dentata: Toothy
Denter / Dentra: Toothy; used by Caecilii and others
Dento / ?: Toothy
Dives / Dives: Rich, wealthy; used by Licinii Crassi and others
Dolabella / ?: Hatchet; used by Cornelii
Dorsuo / ?: Large back; used by Fabii, and others
Drusus / Drusilla: ? Used by Livii, and others
Figulus / Figula: The pot maker/potter.
Fimbria / ?: Edge of clothing, fringes. Cognomen of gens Flavia.
Flaccus / Flacca: He who has big floppy ears. Used by Avianii, Fulvii, Valerii, and others.
Flavus / Flava: Blonde-haired; used by Decimii and others
Florus / Flora: Light-coloured or blooming; used by Aquilii
Fronto / xxx: He who has a prominent forehead
Frugi / Frugi: (indecl) the honest one, the sober one
Fullo / ?: A fuller or launderer; used by Apustii
Fusus / Fusa: From archaic praenomen Fusus; used by Furii
Galeo / ?: Helmet
Gemellus / Gemella: A twin; used by Servilii, Veturii, and others
Geta / ?: ? Probably related to a location
Glabrio / ?: A relative of Glaber; used by Acilii
Gracchus / Graccha: ? Cognomen of gens Sempronia
Gurges / ?: Greedy, prodigal; used by Fabii Maximi
Habitus / Habita: In good physical condition; used by Cluentii and others
Helva / ?: Dun-colored hair; used by Aebutii
Imperiosus / Imperiosa: Domineering, dictatorial; used by Manlii
Iul(l)us / Iul(l)a: From archaic praenomen Iulus; used by Iulii
Labeo / ?: Prominent lips; used by Antistii, Atinii, Fabii, and others.
Lactuca / ?: Lettuce; used by Valerii
Laenas / ?: ? Possibly related to a wooly item of clothing (likely a cape; Gk. khlaina). Cognomen of gens Popillia
Laenatus / Laenata: Wearing wool; used by the Menenii
Laevinus / Laevina: ?
Laterensis / Laterenisi: Person from the hill-side; used by Iuventii
Lentulus / Lentula: A bit slow; used by Cornelii
Lepidus / Lepida: Charming, amusing; used by Aemilii and others
Libo / ?: ? Used by Marcii and others
Licinus / Licina: Spiky- or bristly-haired; used by Mamilii
Longus / Longa: Tall; used by Sempronii, Sulpicii and others
Lucullus / Luculla: From lucus (grove) or Lucius (praenomen); used by Licinii
Lupus / Lupa: The wolf. Cognomen of gens Rutilia.
Lurco / ?: Gluttonous, greedy
Macer / Macra: Thin; used by Licinii and others
Macula / ?: A spot or blemish.
Malleolus / Malleola: Hammer; used by Publicii
Mamercus / Mamerca: From rare praenomen Mamercus, used by Aemilii
Marcellus / Marcella: The warrior
Merenda / ?: Light afternoon meal; used by Antonii, Cornelii and others
Maro / ?: ? Used by Vergilii
Mergus / Merga: Sea-gull
Merula / Merulina: The blackbird; used by Cornelii
Messal(l)a / Messal(l)ina: ? Cognomen of gens Valeria
Metellus / Metella: The army follower. Cognomen of gens Caecillia
Murena / ?: Eel; used by Licinii
Mus / Mus: Mouse or rat; used by Decii and others
Musca / ?: Fly; used by Sempronii
Nasica / ?: Big-nosed; used by Sempronii
Naso / ?: Big-nosed; used by Ovidii
Natta / ?: An artisan; used by Pinarii
Nepos / ?: Grandchild; used by Caecilii Metelli and others
Nero / ?: From rare praenomen Nero; used by Claudii and others
Nerva / ?: Vigorous; used by Licinii and others
Niger / Nigra: Black-skinned or black-haired
Novellus / Novella: New, new-fangled; used by Gavilii
Ocella / ?: Small-eyed; used by Livii and others
Pacilus / Pacila: From archaic praenomen Pacilus; used by Furii
Paetus / Paeta: Squinty or blinking; used by Aelii and others
Pansa / ?: Splay-footed; used by Vibii and others.
Papus / Papa: From rare praenomen Papus; used by Aemilii and others
Paterculus / Patercula: Father; used by Sulpicii and others
Pau(l)lus / Paul(l)la: Small; used by Aemilii and others
Pavo / ?: Peacock
Pera / ?: Shoulder-bag; used by Iunii
Perpenna / ?: ?
Perperna / ?: ?
Pictor / Pictrix: Painter; used by Fabii
Piso / xxx: The mortar. Cognomen of gens Calpurnia
Planctus / Plancta: Flat-footed; used by Munatii
Plautus / Plauta: Flat-footed
Poplicola / ?: He who flatters the people. This is an older spelling of "Publicola"
Postumus / Postuma: Born after the father's death; used by Curtii and others
Potitus / Potita: Probably derived from an archaic praenomen; used by Valerii
Praeconinus / Praeconina: A relative of a herald
Praetextatus / Praetextata: Young (wearing the toga praetexta); used by Sulpicii and others
Priscus / Prisca: Very ancient, from the days of old, the very old man
Proculus / Procula: From rare praenomen Proculus, perhaps meaning "born during father's absence"; used by Plautii.
Publicola / ?: He who flatters the people.
Pulcher / Pulchra: Attractive; used by Claudii and others
Pullus / Pulla: Child
Pulvillus / Pulvilla: Small cushion; used by Horatii
Purpureo / ?: Wearing purple or with a purplish complexion
Quadratus / Quadrata: Stocky, squarely built
Ralla / ?: A tunic of fine fabric; used by Marcii
Regillus / Regilla: Prince; used by Aemilii
Regulus / Regula: Prince, used by Atilii
Rufus / Rufa: Reddish, Ginger-haired.
Ruga / ?: Wrinkly
Rullus / Rulla: Uncultivated, boorish; used by Servilii
Rutilus / Rutila: Reddish-gold hair
Salinator / Salinatrix: He who harvests salt.
Saturninus / Saturnina: Dedicated to Saturnus
Scaeva / ?: Left-handed; used by Iunii Bruti and others
Scaevola / ?: Left-handed; used by Mucii and others.
Scapula / ?: Shoulder-blade; used by Quinctii and others
Scaurus / Scaura: Lame, swollen-ankled; used by Aemilii, Aurelii
Scipio / ?: Rod, staff; used by Cornelii and others
Scrofa / ?: Sow; used by Tremelii
Severus / Severa: Strict, severe
Seneca / ?: ? Probably related to senex, the old man. Cogn of gens Aennaea
Silanus / Silana: From the forest. Cognomen of gens Iunia
Silo / ?: Snub-nosed; used by Sergii
Silus / Sila: Snub-nosed; used by Sergii
Stolo / ?: Shoot of a plant; used by Licinii
Strabo / ?: Squinty; used by Titii and others
Structus / Structa: Possibly derived from an archaic praenomen; used by Servilii
Sulla / ?: ? Used by Cornelii
Sura / ?: Calf of the leg
Taurus / Taura: Bull
Tranquillus / Tranquilla: Calm, tranquil, quiet
Triarius / Triaria: A type of soldier; used by Valerii and others
Trigeminus / Trigemina: A triplet; used by Curiatii and others
Trio / ?: One of the seven stars of the Plough/Big Dipper; used by Lucretii
Tubero / ?: Having a tumour or swelling; used by Aelii
Tubertus / Tuberta: Having a tumour or swelling; used by Postumii
Tubulus / Tubula: Little tube; used by Hostilii
Tuditanus / Tuditana: Mallet; used by Sempronii
Tullus / Tulla: From rare praenomen Tullus; used by Volcatii
Turdus / Turda: Thrush; used by Papirii
Varro / ?: Block-head; used by Terentii and others
Varus / Vara: Bow-legged; used by Atilii, Licinii, Quinctilii, and others
Vatia / ?: Knock-kneed; used by Servilii and others
Verres / ?: Pig; used by Cornelii
Vespillo / ?: Person employed to bury people too poor for a funeral; used by Lucretii
Vetus / Veta: Old; used by Antistii
Vitulus / Vitula: Calf or young cow; used by Mamilii, Pomponii, and others
Volusus / Volusa: From rare praenomen Volusus; used by Valerii

Choosing a cognomen

Revision as of 02:17, 27 March 2006

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+<div class="scriptum">
+Your cognomen is a family name which would be shared by your blood relatives. Cognomina often refer to a person's appearance or other characteristics, but they do not have to. It is quite common to have a cognomen referring to a place of birth, a job, or some other thing which distinguished the person (usually an ancestor) who first bore that cognomen. If you want to know the meaning of a cognomen on the list below, you can find most of them explained <<here>>.
+Almost everyone has a cognomen, and it is difficult to distinguish different families within a gens unless cognomina are used. However, strictly speaking, cognomina are not compulsory. If you don't choose one now, you will still be able to add one later.
+To help you choose a cognomen, there is a list of them in the "Cognomen" menu below from which you may choose. But this is not a complete list - the Romans often created new cognomina, and if you want to have one which is not on the list we will be happy to discuss this with you. To do this, choose one of these four options from the "Cognomen" menu: "Geographical cognomen", "Occupational cognomen", "Latinized name", or "Other".
+A "Geographical cognomen" is one which refers to the place where you come from. An "Occupational cognomen" is one which refers to your job or occupation. A "Latinized name" is a Latin form of your own name, which you can use as cognomen: this can be either your surname or your first name, or both. "Other" includes many other Latin words which can be used as cognomina. If you choose one of these four options, we will get in touch with you to suggest a suitable cognomen. If you have any suggestions or comments to help us suggest a suitable cognomen, please use the "comments, questions, and suggestions" box.
+In some cases it may be appropriate to have more than one cognomen. This is normally only allowed where you choose the "Latinized name" option, but may also be appropriate if you are joining a family which contains a large number of people who all have the same nomen and cognomen. If you think you have a good reason to want more than one cognomen, please say which cognomina you would like, and your reasons for wanting more than one, in the "comments, questions, and suggestions" box.
+</div>
 The third name or cognomen started to be a nickname or personal name that distinguished individuals within the same gens (the cognomen does not appear in official documents until around 100 BCE). During the Roman Republic, the cognomen was inherited from father to son, serving to distinguish a family within a gens. Often the cognomen was chosen based on some physical or personality trait.